Huge portions. 32-oz soft drinks. Cheeseburgers, greasy pizza, and chili cheese fries. Salt. Paying for services you’ll never see. Our flat “O” accent. And in the case of being from Illinois, multiple arrested governors.

 

These are my first thoughts when talking about being an American.

 

But there’s so much more to it than that, there’s an undeniable pride, and a sense of family.  Two qualities I can’t imagine not feeling for my country. I love the diversity of the U.S., the changes in culture from the North to the Deep South and even the different culture as you drive throughout the country. In one day you can experience a variety of terrains as well as temperature, and it’s invigorating.

 

These are the things I think about when someone asks what it means to be from the grand ol’ U.S. of A.